Politically Correct Bedtime Stories - Hardcover

Garner, James Finn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 002542730X ISBN 13: 9780025427303

Publisher: Prentice-Hall, 1997

Synopsis

This is an original and humorous adaptation of classic bedtime stories to reflect more enlightened times. Garner removes any and all types of bias from these traditionally offensive tales and attempts to develop meaningful literature free from the influences of a flawed cultural past.

About this title

Review

"Garner's droll reworking of favourite fairy stories." -- 'Time Out'

"It is one of those works which cleave an author instantly to your heart...
It is beautiful." -- 'The Times'

"The definitive, non-exploitative, non-patriarchalist (dontcha hate doing
that to the kids?) ... collection of bedtime stories." -- 'Daily Telegraph'

"Garner rewrites fairy tales... into culturally sensitive stories,
with all prejudices expunged." -- 'Daily Mail'

"Not only essential reading for adults of all ages, but is also
the wisest, funniest, most thoughtful thing."
-- 'The Observer'

It's hard to believe that James Finn Garner could improve upon perfection - but he has. -- Hans Christian Andersen

These stories are fables for our times. -- Aesop

We were fighting between ourselves to see who would read it first. -- The Brothers Grimm

From the Back Cover

Once upon a time, in the olden days, heavy-set middle-aged men would congregate in their elitist clubs, sit in over-stuffed leather chairs, smoke air-choking cigars, and pitch story ideas and plots to each other. Problem was, these stories, many of which found their way into the general social consciousness, reflected the way in which these men lived and saw their world: that is, the stories were sexist, discriminatory, unfair, culturally biased, and in general, demeaning to witches, animals, goblins, and fairies everywhere. Finally, after centuries of these abusive tales, which have been handed down - unknowingly - from one male-biased generation to the next, James Finn Garner has taken it upon himself (that's right, yet another man) to enlighten and liberate these classic bedtime stories and retell them in a way that is much more in keeping with the society in which we live today. Politically Correct Bedtime Stores, then is the fruit of Garner's labors. We'd like to think that future generations of fairy-tale fans will see this as a worthy attempt to develop meaningful literature that is totally free from bias and purged from the influences of a flawed cultural past.

Edition details

• Publisher: Prentice-Hall
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 002542730X
• ISBN 13: 9780025427303
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 96